Cathy glanced at her husband, Werner, hoping he would intercede. Werner spoke. “Dad, just bring Cheryl. Forget about Teresa; Jonathan’s already here. It would be too awkward if she came.”
“Jonathan can leave. Teresa needs to be here,” Hayden insisted, his expression unwavering. “Today, everyone has to be present. If even one is missing, I won’t eat.”
“Even if you made fools of yourselves in front of Evelyn, it has nothing to do with me. You figure it out,” he added.
Werner and Cathy exchanged helpless looks. They had no choice but to call Teresa, who again refused.
“Mrs. Lynn, Jonathan is there, and so is Irene. It’s just too awkward for me to go. My mom is already there, right? Her presence is enough. She can speak for me,” Teresa said.
“It’s Mr. Hayden Lynn’s wish. He misses you and wants to see you. He insists that you come over,” Cathy replied.
“Mrs. Lynn, please tell Mr. Hayden Lynn I’m really sorry, but I can’t make it today,” Teresa said before hanging up.
Shortly after, Cheryl called. “Teresa, what should I do? It’s the first time the two families are meeting for dinner, and I said I wouldn’t come back, but Grandpa insists I return and even wants to send someone to get me. Teresa, you have to help me. You have to talk to Grandpa for me.”
“How can I help when I’m not even there?” Teresa replied.
“Oh?” Cheryl was on the verge of tears. “I thought you were there. Grandpa dotes on you and listens to you. I definitely can’t go back now. What if my water breaks on the way? What do I do?”
“Sorry. Why don’t you talk to Jennifer? She may help,” Teresa suggested.
“Jennifer is so harsh. I never chat with her. I don’t even know what Donald sees in her. All I can do is wish Donald well. What am I supposed to do?” Cheryl wailed.
If the Lynn family took Cheryl back now, everything would be ruined.
Teresa said, “Tough luck.”
Cheryl huffed. “Teresa, don’t be like that. We’re in this together. If I can’t keep my secret, I won’t be able to keep Mike’s secret either.”
“Are you threatening me, Cheryl?” Teresa said, taken aback.
“We both are in the same boat. You know what I mean, right?” Cheryl replied.
Teresa was momentarily stunned.
At the restaurant, Cathy told Hayden the truth. Hayden took the phone and spoke to Teresa.
Teresa thought it was still Cathy calling, but she heard Hayden’s voice. “Teresa, it’s me. Are you really not coming? Jennifer and your mom are both here. I’ll get Jonathan to leave. You won’t have to feel awkward.”
“It’s not that, Mr. Lynn. I’m really busy. I can’t make it. I’ll come to see you another day,” Teresa said.
“Humph.” Hayden didn’t believe her. “Don’t lie to me. I know you’re just avoiding the awkwardness.”
While calling Teresa, Hayden patted Jonathan’s shoulder. “You better leave. Otherwise, Teresa will feel awkward when she comes.”
Jonathan was taken aback.
Teresa furrowed her brow. “Mr. Lynn, really, it’s not necessary—”
Hayden cut Teresa off. “He’s already gone. He said he had something urgent at the company. You should come. It’s been so long since I last saw you!”
Teresa sighed in frustration. “Mr. Lynn, you’re putting me in a tough spot. I really can’t come.”
After all, even if Jonathan left, Irene would still be there.
She said, “I’ll come to see you another day when I’m free. Please don’t wait for me. Enjoy your meal. And let Jonathan come back. I didn’t mean to send him away. This is the Lynn family’s celebration. He should be here.”
Hayden said helplessly, “No—no. It would be great if you came today. Just wait.”
From the other end of the line came a burst of noisy chatter, and then the call was disconnected.
After hanging up, Teresa was somewhat dazed, unsure of what she was supposed to be waiting for.
“Mommy,” Michael asked her, “What’s wrong? Who called?”
“Nobody important. Just someone inviting me to a party,” she said.
“Wow, a party. I saw videos of people at parties looking so happy. I want to go too.” Michael tugged at Teresa’s hand. “Let’s go together. Then you won’t have to cook dinner.”
Teresa was taken aback.
Before long, her phone rang again. Teresa declined the call. ‘I have already said I wouldn’t go. Why’s Irene still calling?’ she wondered.
However, Irene called several more times. Seeing Michael waiting in the room for the meal to start, Teresa went to her room to answer the call.
Irene cleared her throat. “It’s me.”
“What do you want?” said Teresa.
“We are at Horizonlead Hotel. Get here quickly. Everyone from the Lynn family is waiting for you. Hayden said he won’t eat if you don’t come. He’s throwing a tantrum,” Irene sounded gloomy.
“I’m not coming.” Teresa suddenly felt a sense of relief. “I won’t attend any of the Lynn family’s events.”
Irene took a deep breath. “This time, you should come. It’s Jennifer’s engagement. You should be here. It’s so rude to be absent. You are her sister.”
“It doesn’t matter. Bye—” Teresa didn’t care.
“Wait.” Irene gritted her teeth. “You have to come. Hayden insisted that I call you personally, or he’ll blame me.”
“Whatever. I’m not part of the Lynn family anymore. Why should I care about you, Irene?” Teresa said.
Irene was stunned for a moment. Although she was extremely reluctant and unwilling, she couldn’t forget Hayden’s domineering and aggressive demeanor. Irene had no choice but to endure it. “Please. We’re all waiting for you.”
Teresa frowned. ‘Has Cheryl gone already?’ she wondered.
Irene continued, “Teresa, I’m begging you. What more do you want? This is about Jennifer and Donald. Come here, okay?”
“Why should I risk saying something wrong and getting snapped at by you? It’s not worth it,” Teresa said.
“You—” Irene could clearly hear the sarcasm in Teresa’s voice.
“I can’t control what I say today, but for the sake of the Lynn family and Hayden’s face, you should show up, right? Just come, okay? That’s it,” she sighed.
Teresa was silent for a few seconds. “Since you’re begging me like this, you have to come downstairs and greet me personally when I arrive at the restaurant. I’ll think about it and come over.”
“You—” Irene’s nails were digging into her palm, cursing Teresa a hundred times in her mind. “Fine, today you’re the guest. Whatever. Call me when you get here.”
Teresa quickly tidied up and was about to leave when Michael asked, “Mommy, you’re going to the party. Take me with you.”
Teresa said, “No, baby, you can’t go.”
Michael clung tightly to Teresa’s leg. “Bad mommy. You never bring me to a party.”